CHHANDIGARH, India: The Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker told that he disqualified the former Agriculture Minister Harbhajan Singh Sandhu under the 10th schedule of the constitution and a similar order to disqualify former Minister of State Nirmal Singh Kahlon was brought before Punjab and Haryana High Court. Kahlon’s disqualification as M. L.A. was rescinded in the High Court after he submitted that he had not resigned from the Akali Dal.
Both the members were asked by the Speaker to file a reply to a show cause notice for the disqualification as Vidhan Sabha members within 24 hours. Both the Minister and the Minister of State were dismissed by Sidharath Shanker Ray, the Governor of Punjab on the recommendation of Chief Minister Barnala no Saturday night after they had appeared before Akal Takht that day to pledge loyalty to the Unified Akali Dal headed by Simranjit Singh Mann.
In his order, the Speaker said that the Chief Minister has informed him that Mr. Harbhajan Singh Sandhu had voluntarily given up the membership of the Shiromani Akali Dal.
Beware of
Anti-Sikh Rumours
Article extracted from this publication >> February 20, 1987
